Zach Jarvis September 9 th, 2010 Mr. Wynne

WindmillsWind turbines

 Wind power- is the extraction of kinetic energy from the wind and conversion of it into a useful type of energy:  Thermal (is the kinetic energy of the movement of atoms and molecules)  Mechanical (energy in a mechanical form)  or electrical (energy made available by the flow of electric charge through a conductor)

Possible uses of wind power:  windmills have been used for pumping water or grinding grain.  wind turbines can use the wind's energy to generate electricity  wind turbines are typically used for water pumping or communications  homeowners, farmers, and ranchers in windy areas can also use wind turbines as a way to cut their electric bills.

History of wind power  Humans have been using the power of the wind for thousands of years. There were boats propelled by wind sailing along the Nile River in 5000 B.C. By 200 B.C., there were simple windmills in China pumping water  By the 11th century, people in the Middle East were using windmills extensively for food production  The earliest wind turbine appeared in Denmark in 1890  When fuel prices fell after World War II, interest in wind turbines waned.

Sustainabilty  the sustainability if wind energy is infinite.

Energy source’s and transfer  Wind is a form of solar energy. Winds are caused by the uneven heating of the atmosphere by the sun, the irregularities of the earth's surface, and rotation of the earth.  This wind flow, or motion energy, when "harvested" by modern wind turbines, can be used to generate electricity.  Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power.

advantages  Once the wind turbine is built the energy it produces does not cause green house gases or other pollutants  Wind turbines have a role to play in both the developed and third world.  Remote areas that are not connected to the electricity power grid can use wind turbines to produce their own supply  Wind turbines are available in a range of sizes

disadvantages  Wind turbines are noisy. Each one can generate the same level of noise as a family car travelling at 70 mph.  When wind turbines are being manufactured some pollution is produced  wind turbines do not produce the same amount of electricity all the time. There will be times when they produce no electricity at all.

Careers associated with wind power  Maintenance Technician  Lead Steam Repairs  Land Owner/Community Coordinator  Transmission Specialist  Account Manager  Specification Engineer  Transmission Specialist  Electriction  Renewable Energy Leaders

References  bs/find-jobs/q-wind+power/l-minnesota bs/find-jobs/q-wind+power/l-minnesota  y1/wind8.htm y1/wind8.htm  wind-power.htm wind-power.htm  ideas.com/energy_definitions/definition_ of_wind_energy.html ideas.com/energy_definitions/definition_ of_wind_energy.html